Bill Jukes cracks his knuckles, the sound like gunfire, then runs one hand over his bald head. “Fine.” He sighs like this is by far the worst chore on his list for the day. “Hit me.”
“Hit you?” I lower my sword. “Like with my fist?”
“Any way you can.” He sounds bored.
I shouldn’t feel insulted. After all, he’s right to be bored—I’m already winded, covered in sweat, my leg is aching, and I lostfeeling in my ass several falls ago. Even so, I want to show him I can do some damage.
“Go get him.” Widow gives me a shove forward.
I don’t lose my balance—point for me—and then charge at the huge man with my sword.
Then something happens. I don’t know how, but I’m yet again on my ass. I didn’t even get near him, and he’s knocked me down.
“What was that?” he asks.
“You’re lucky I can’t feel my cheeks.” I use the sword like a cane to help myself back to my feet.
He sighs. “If you come running like that, you deserve what you get.”
“Then what do you suggest?” I try to keep my knees from wobbling, but I’m so tired. It’s hitting me harder now that I’m trying to regroup and tackle the giant.
“Be smarter.” He drops to one knee so we’re almost at eye level. The tattoos on his cheeks are of flowers, beautiful ones with dainty hummingbirds floating in midair. They’re actually quite lovely. “You’re small. You can’t use blunt force attacks and get anywhere. You need to misdirect.” He reaches toward me—I’m too tired to even try to dodge—and he pulls a golden coin from behind my ear. “You need to use your brain.” He taps my forehead lightly, then opens his palm where he held the coin and blows a paper butterfly into the wind. It floats away over the sea.
I can only stare at him. He’s so huge and scary, but when he’s down here on my level, I realize he’s utterly charming. And he can do magic—that’s always a plus.
“Rest. We’ll spar first tomorrow.” He gets to his feet and lumbers back below decks.
I turn to look at Widow, my eyes wide. “Who knew?”
“Bill’s a bruiser. But he’s also more than that.” She wraps her arm around my shoulder and walks me back toward Hook’s quarters. “Don’t judge us pirates so harshly, darling. We may not be eternal children, but we have a few tricks of our own.”
Her words are spoken lightly, but they land a solid punch. I’ve judged everyone I’ve met ever since I left the island. Even the people who saved my life. I owe Huran an apology, and I owe Blackbeard a proper thanks for allowing his husband to take care of me and welcoming me into their home. In my quest to trust absolutely no one, maybe I’ve been a bit of a jerk. No, Idefinitelyhave. That’s sobering.
She gives my shoulders one more squeeze and lets go. “I’m going to see if I can annoy the shit out of Cookson in the galley. Lunch soon, hopefully, and then we’ll drop anchor and row over to the hideaway.”
“Okay.” I’m grateful for the break. I have a lot to think about. Not to mention, I need to regain feeling in my ass again.
“The captain is putting a great deal of trust in you.” Smee, the accountant, stands guard at Hook’s cabin door. “I hope it isn’t misplaced.”
“Good to know.”
“Lay off her, Smee.” Skylights, the ship’s quartermaster steps up behind me, his bag in hand. “Captain’s asked that I give you another checkup, especially after all your … exertion.” His mouth twitches as though he’s trying not to smile.
“Yes, I got my ass kicked.” I roll my eyes and push past Smee and into the captain’s quarters.
Skylights follows and closes the door on a glaring Smee.
“That guy is always giving me the stink eye.”
“Smee is very protective of the captain.”
“I don’t think Hook needs protecting.” I wince as I sit at the table.
“We all need protecting sometimes.” He slides his bag beside me and turns up the lantern. “Do you mind if I examine you?”
I shrug. “It’s fine.”
“Thank you.” He pulls out some sort of horn from his bag, then taps his chest. “I’d like to listen to your heart.”
